2016 – Year in Review

Happy New Year!  I feel like 2016 flew by so quickly, it’s hard to believe it’s already 2017.  Even though I slacked off on blogging this year, I wanted to do a recap like I did for 2015.  2016 was hard for a lot of people, and while we had some moments, I want to focus on the good things that took place for us.

I did keep up with the trying a new recipe every week, just failed at blogging.  I’ll do an overall recap update in a couple weeks – but for now, I’m knocking this recap out.

Here we go. 🙂

January:

I turned 33, and had a fairly low key birthday.  We got together with Josh’s family to celebrate all the Dec/January birthdays, which was a lot of fun.

Shortly after my birthday, B turned 3.  He had two family celebrations, but the best part of celebrating his birthday was our trip to Disney!

I failed spectacularly at taking time to blog about it, but I’ll give you a quick recap. 😉  We went for a week, spent time in all the parks (Magic Kingdom two days), took a LOT of pictures, and made some great memories.  We won’t be one of those hardcore families that go every year, but we do plan on going back when B gets a little taller and can ride more rides.

February:

Our niece PJ turned TWO.  And right after we celebrated her birthday, her little sister Cami was born.  I may be biased, but these two girls are just adorable.

March:

Now that I’m a #boymom, the events and things I learn about never cease to amaze me.  Never in a million years would I have *ever* pictured myself at a monster truck show, but when March rolled around, there I was at Monster Jam!  B had watched a few episodes OnDemand, but watching him watch the show live and in person was worth every penny we paid for our seats.  I can guarantee we’ll be going back in 2017!

We also celebrated our nephew’s 3rd birthday, and spent time with family.

April:

We took our annual family photos with our friends at Mini Photo Sessions.  What should have been a warm day was quite frigid!  Brr!  B was a champ though!

Josh and I celebrated our 7th anniversary by spending a long weekend in Asheville.  We had a great time, and definitely want to go back one day.

May:

IBM had it’s annual customer conference, Amplify, and I ended up presenting in two sessions.  I was terrified, but survived, and got some really good feedback.  We’ll see if I end up speaking again in 2017, but I can mark off facing a fear head on in 2016! 🙂

 

At the end of the month, Josh’s mom came down for a weekend and we were able to spend some time at the Atlanta Zoo.  B loves the animals, and while it was warm, we enjoyed ourselves!

June:

Me and the gals spent a weekend down in FL with MFP.  It was definitely a needed weekend away.  We laughed, drank, played games, and ate way too much.  It was absolutely worth it.

The following week, Josh was out of state for work and I had to go out of town for work as well.  In the midst of getting my rental car for the trip, a teenager pulled out in front of me and we had quite the collision.  Luckily, no one was majorly injured.  I’m pretty sure I cracked my sternum, and was in pain for a couple weeks, but it subsided.  It was then I determined there’d be no more traveling for J and I at the same time.  So stressful!

July:

Josh turned 34 in July, and I managed to put together a surprise birthday dinner for him and some of his friends.  It was great catching up with everyone, and he was completely shocked I pulled it off.  He figured something was up in the parking lot, but didn’t suspect anything before then. 🙂

I also kicked off a project for the incoming freshmen at Mercer.  Working with Alumni Services and Admissions, over 150 alumni wrote welcome letters for the Class of 2020.  I spent several days/nights assigning students out, sorting through the letters as they were received, alphabetized them, and got them ready to hand off for distribution in August.  It was by far one of my favorite projects, and I look forward to coordinating it next year!

August:

In one weekend I was able to celebrate so much!  First, my high school friend/college sorority sister, Jamie, had a baby shower for her little bundle of joy.  I was so excited for her and her husband and their new arrival.  Her son is now here and he is just so freaking adorable!

My pseudo little sister, Elizabeth (MFP’s sister), had a bridal shower in town.  We celebrated her upcoming nuptials and then stole MFP away for some girl time before she had to fly back to Florida.

September:

September kicked off college football season, and we were ready for some Mercer football!  Our biggest game of the season brought the Bears up I-75 to play against Georgia Tech.  It was ridiculously hot, and we didn’t win, but we DID score the first touchdown of the game.  The alumni tailgate before the game was a blast and we’re looking forward to some even bigger games next season!

Josh and I also got to celebrate my dear friend Jen’s marriage.  She had a wedding in Boston, and a hometown reception.  We had so much fun catching up with friends that evening.

October:

Mercer had an away game in Chattanooga in 2016, so we made a road trip up for the game.  Our sister-in-law, niece, and nephew joined us for the afternoon.  We didn’t win the game, but we enjoyed hanging out with family.

Elizabeth and Rusty got married at her family pond outside of Augusta.  The girls and I took a trip to take part in the wedding festivities.  She was a beautiful bride and we had a great time dancing the night away!

October wouldn’t be complete without a mention of Halloween.  B dressed up as Spiderman, as he is definitely in the beginning stages of superhero fandom.

November:

Homecoming took place in early November, which is one of my favorite times of the year.  On Friday, the National Alumni Board met.  We got to hear from the other alumni groups, current students, and President Underwood.  I love hearing about the new things on campus and the success of the current students.  Makes me very proud to be a Bear.  That evening the Alumni Awards Dinner was held, and I received the Chapter Service Award.  Josh and I were able to hang out with two of my sorority sisters, who were also award winners that evening.  It was fun catching up with them!

On Saturday, we met with several alumni chapter leaders for breakfast, took in the Kaleidoscope Concert that the Townsend School of Music put on, walked around campus, had lunch with my parents, and then cheered on the Bears for the football game.

We also celebrated Thanks-Christmas with Josh’s side of the family at Granny’s house.  Lots of food and lots of family make for a great day!

 

December:

B and I drove down to Macon to meet up with my parents so they could watch him while I took part in interviewing future Bears for the scholarship competition.  I tell you, there were some very impressive students, and I can’t wait to hear who chooses to attend Mercer.  They’ll help make the Class of 2021 one of the most successful yet.

After the interviews were over, we celebrated my brother’s birthday by going out to dinner with my family.  It was a lot of fun, and then later, Brian, Stephanie, and I went to the bowling alley with one of Brian’s friends to bowl.  I sat out, thanks to some crazy back/hip joint pain.  This getting older is for the birds, haha, but I suppose it’s better than the alternative. 😉

Wrapped up the year celebrating Christmas at our house and then at my parents’ house.  B is a big fan of Santa (“He’s the best!”), so it’s made the holiday a lot more fun as he continues to get older.

2016 had some pretty great highlights for us, and I’m looking forward to seeing what 2017 brings.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!